Pope Francis has invited Cardinal Godfried Danneels to be the guest of honor at the Synod on the Family which will be held in Rome from October 5th to the 19th. On Tuesday, the Vatican released a list of the 253 participants. In addition to 114 Episcopal conference presidents, 13 leaders of Eastern Catholic churches, 25 officials of the Roman curia and three clergymen elected by the General Union of Superiors will also be present.
Pope Francis has also invited 13 married couples and 16 experts. The married couples will be coming from Iraq, Lebanon, the Philippines, South Africa, the United States, Brazil, Chile and Rwanda. Besides Cardinal Danneels, the Patriarch of Constantinople will be represented by Athenagoras of Belgium. The Belgian Jesuit Henri George will also attend the meeting as an employee of the Secretariat of the Synod. Bishop Leonard will be involved as chairman of the Belgian Episcopal conference.
(Source: Belga)
